From Hidden Gem to Berkshires Beacon: Unleashing the Magic of The Porches Inn

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Deep in the Berkshires, where whispers of wind rustle through ancient trees and art pulses in the very air, lies a treasure waiting to be unveiled. The Porches Inn, steeped in history and nestled alongside the acclaimed MASS MoCA, has been a haven for souls seeking solace and creativity for more than two decades. But just like any diamond in the rough, it can take a little expert polishing to make a gem truly shine.

That’s where Dot Think Design came in.

Following guideposts mapped in our signature Brand Discovery 2.0, we embarked on a journey to capture the essence of The Porches Inn and weave it into a digital tapestry that meshed seamlessly with its breathtaking backdrop.

Step one was crafting a user experience that evoked the Inn’s own welcoming ambience. With every click and scroll, viewers can lose themselves in a curated collection of distinctive moments – from sun-drenched breakfasts on a private porch to the captivation of a tour of the MASS MoCA’s modern masterpieces.

Then came the words: not just copy, but storytelling that brought to life the crackling fireplaces, cozy corners, and gentle hum of artistic energy that defines a stay at Porches. From the pleasure of feeling the heated slate beneath your feet at Porches’ all-season pool to the reverence evoked by following age-old footsteps through primeval forest paths, the Northern Berkshires was brought to life through vibrant and evocative language.

But because a beautiful website is just the canvas, we didn’t stop there. Business goals were woven into the very fabric of the site, ensuring that users were strategically engaged from first click to return visit. Booking tools were seamlessly integrated across the site, transforming browsing into effortless reservation-making. Exclusive packages – once hidden gems themselves – were elevated to center stage, showcasing curated experiences that invite users to not just stay, but connect and savor.

The result? A website that transcends mere digital brochure, and becomes a portal to a world of artistic immersion and Berkshire bliss. It’s a love letter to The Porches Inn that beckons travelers to step through its door and paint their own masterpiece.

Our work for Porches is a testament to our core belief that design isn’t just pixels on a screen. It’s a story told, an invitation extended, a promise made and kept. We didn’t just build a website; we built a bridge that connects hearts to the soul of the Berkshires, one click at a time.

Discover one-of-a-kind adventure at The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA.

A Day For Women and Girls

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For the past six years, Dot Think has had the pleasure of supporting The Fund For Women & Girls Annual Luncheon, hosted by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. This year it was a sold out event featuring speaker, educator, and activist Professor Anita Faye Hill.

Through Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Fund for Women & Girls, individuals and organizations are coming together to invest in sustainable solutions that support the safety, health, and economic security of women and girls across Fairfield County. Over three decades, philanthropy has fueled more than $8 million in grants through our Fund for Women & Girls, improving futures for tens of thousands of women and girls in Fairfield County.

Dot Think supports this event by developing stunning visuals and innovative branding:

  • Theme
  • Printed invitation package
  • Event graphics including staging
  • Programs
  • Website support
  • Streaming support
  • Social media
  • Email marketing

Conveying the passion, poise, power, and pride of these women and girls, Dot Think’s creative team built a seamless and visually stunning experience across virtual and physical graphics. Our design focused on building an inviting, engaging, and classic atmosphere that spoke to the energy and ethos of the luncheon and its elite attendees.

The result of Dot Think’s hard work was a superlative event that was demonstrative of the invaluable purpose behind the event. That purpose being the girls of our community. And that community being our future.

Thanks to the phenomenal photographer Olivier J-P Kpognon for capturing the event.

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
Together We Thrive
As a nonprofit partner and thought leader since 1992, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation brings together passionate people and trusted resources to solve the region’s challenges through innovative, collaborative solutions. The goal is to close the opportunity gap in Fairfield County by eliminating disparities in income, education, employment, housing and health.

Learn more about Fairfield County’s Community Foundation.

Dot Think Design
As a woman-owned & operated agency based in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Dot Think Design serves businesses and nonprofit organizations across the US with branding and marketing strategy, print and web design, social media and email campaigns. Clients include the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Harvard Business School Precision Medicine Accelerator, Lululemon and more.

The grind is not a vibe.

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It’s easy to make big targets in the New Year and be depressed by mid-January because COVID / work / winter / procrastination. Of course, that’s not me. I have reached all my goals.

There is research that suggests we’re doing ourselves a disservice by creating resolutions that demand an outcome.

The same thing applies to your brand / website / book / product launch / NFT collection. Instead of jumping into the big plan or get it done, we recommend stepping back and getting perspective.

The first step, as we talked about in our last email, is taking a look back, celebrating wins and identifying opportunities for growth.

Next up, finding perspective…

No brand is a monolith. Each lives in the minds of its customers, partners and employees within the context of their individual stories. Consider polling your best customers, team members and the leadership team to see if they are aligned with the vision of the organization.

Our signature Brand 2.0 workshop is a half-day team-building exercise that allows you and your team to align, regroup and draw closer together. It is the buy-in of our team members, supporters and ambassadors that makes the brand story authentic and effective with connecting with your customer.

And we’re giving you the tools to do it yourself with your team in four simple steps.

  1. Download our Brand 2.0 worksheet.
  2. Ask your team and brand ambassadors to fill it out.
  3. Schedule a time to review how each of you views your brand differently.
  4. Document your findings and make a plan for up-leveling your brand.

Want to bounce your ideas around, or need help turning your findings into strategy? We’re here. Book a 20-minute convo and let’s get clear on your next moves.

And, stay tuned in the coming weeks as we share with you how we approach a rebrand and website build and discuss tactics and tools that help us along the way. (I promise, there will be many jokes). In the meantime, let’s have coffee. We need connection, not isolation. This winter of our collective discontent is for the birds.

See you in the metaverse,
Corti Cooper
Principal & Creative Director
Dot Think Design

Looking Back to Move Forward

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Hey Fellow Sojourner, 

Each year, as we close out the books for the previous year, I take the week between Christmas and the New Year to look back and reflect on myself as a leader and designer, as well as looking intentionally at the business to identify pain points, wins and make a plan for the next year. A big part of that is CELEBRATING the things, big and small, that we’ve accomplished this year.

As 2021 comes to a close (admittedly not the shining star as years go), are you taking a look back? I know you do great work. I would love to celebrate with you. Reply and let me know your wins!

My biggest WIN is the kitten that we rescued behind the Dot Think offices (shoutout to neighbor Twig Lips for finding our sweet “Twigs”!).

But your partnership is what brings us the most joy. It is our passion to help socially-conscious brands like yours evolve in order to connect with the people they want to reach – with clarity, authenticity, and purpose. From websites for nonprofits that feed and house people and connect cancer patients and scientists, to creative showcases for a florist and $12 million dollar home, it is our honor to serve you, our clients, as you make the world a brighter, better place to live.

We are looking forward to connecting with you in the New Year. As we look into 2022, we will be sharing the way that we work with brands to find their 2.0. Ready to get started? I have a few spots in January for a free consult. Grab yours and let’s talk.

Happy New Year! 
Corti Cooper
Principal & Creative Director
Dot Think Design

Connecting users to the inspired spaces and programs of Mill River Park

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We have been partnering with Mill River Park Collaborative to audit their experience and brand, elevate their online presence and deliver a diverse set of content to their varied users. As part of the discovery process, Dot Think conducted an in-depth data analysis of their previous site’s traffic, behavior, geo-locations, usage statistics and more. The research resulted in a newly built site with a mobile-first approach. The site drives users to easy to use calendar and program pages so that local residents could find their events and activities and get to the park!

As a resource for the community to connect to nature, the mobile homepage is designed to be dynamic and easily changed by the staff so that seasonal offerings can be highlighted. Users are focused on three paths: visiting the park, understanding its mission as a collaborative, and contributing to its future.

The website also features a robust party and event planning section designed to inform customers of packages and options available as well as facilitate conversion through custom-designed conditional forms.

The result of our collaboration with the dedicated Mill River Park team? The seamless integration of technology and inspired action that betters the community.

VISIT THE SITE

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Mill River Park

Mill River Park Collaborative is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to creating and sustaining a world-class park in the heart of Downtown Stamford. Through the support of private donors, members and the City of Stamford, the Collaborative guides the long-term development of Mill River Park as a vibrant, evolving greenspace where the community can gather to relax, play, learn and connect with nature.

Dot Think Design

As a woman-owned & operated agency based in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Dot Think Design serves businesses and nonprofit organizations across the US with branding and marketing strategy, print and web design, social media and email campaigns. Clients include Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Town of Groton, Vita Design and more.

User experience design & development to bring folks together for a brighter tomorrow.

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Dot Think Design has partnered with Fairfield County Community Foundation to redesign its website page-by-page. With WordPress at the helm, Dot Think interwove the best of technology, design and strategically-managed content to deliver a homepage that seamlessly highlights the organization.

With the mission of bringing people and resources together to solve our region’s challenges through innovative and collaborative solutions, the homepage prioritizes content in a way that invites passionate people to contribute.

From top-to-bottom, the design features FCCF’s mission, scopes the depth of the organization’s work, spotlights what’s new and summons individuals, families, corporations and companies in the area to make a difference.  The page closes with the blog, offering viewers the opportunity to explore FCCF’s impact and directly donate.

True to industry standards, the new page design is user-responsive and adapts to FCCF’s audience, comprised of 65% desktop, 30% mobile, and 5% tablet interfaces.

The result? An upgraded homepage with accessible function and composition, driven by the goal to inspire action and help people thrive.

Together, we can close the opportunity gap in Fairfield County by eliminating disparities in income, education, employment, housing and health.

Visit the site.

Fairfield County’s Giving Day Opens Opportunity to Give

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Fairfield County’s 5th annual Giving Day is here! This dynamic 24-hour online fundraising event began at midnight on March 1st!

Over the past 4 years, Giving Day has raised over $4.5 million through 55,000+ donations for more than 650 nonprofits Serving Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stamford, Greenwich and towns across Fairfield County. As the biggest philanthropic day of the year, Giving Day is an amazing opportunity for regional nonprofits to boost funding, connect with donors, and build more awareness for their incredible work throughout the region.

Designing with Impact for a day of Significance

Responsible for Giving Day branding, Dot Think defined the general look and feel for all visual assets, notably the classic circle logo and all print ads. Working with long term client Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, the team delivered extra life into the graphics by utilizing animation for the official video, and even super-sized the Giving Day message onto a billboard. Bold text, crisp graphics and vibrant color blocks assembled beautifully to engage the community.

The clock is ticking!

You can be a philanthropist and support the causes nearest to your heart. On March 1, go to FCGIVES.org and search for the nonprofits you want to support with a donation. As little as $10 can make a difference to any one of the 437 participating nonprofits – and help your favorite organization win a cash prize so they can serve more people in Fairfield County.

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ABOUT FAIRFIELD COUNTY’S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation promotes philanthropy as a means to create change in Fairfield County, focusing on innovative and collaborative solutions to critical issues impacting the community. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds or contribute to existing funds. The Community Foundation is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards and has awarded over $220 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. As a trusted nonprofit partner and thought leader, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation brings together community organizers, business experts and philanthropists to solve our region’s challenges. Our goal is to create a vital and inclusive community, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. fccfoundation.org

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ABOUT DOT THINK DESIGN

As a woman-owned & operated agency based in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Dot Think Design serves businesses and nonprofit organizations across the US with branding and marketing strategy, print and web design, social media and email campaigns. Clients include the Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Cedar Roof Company, Town of Groton Parks & Recreation, Mill River Park, Cacace, Tusch & Santagata, Give Back Yoga Foundation, Vita Design and more.

LEARN MORE ABOUT US

Welcome to our new client: Mill River Park Collaborative

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Mill River Park Collaborative Selects Dot Think to Nurture Brand & Media Strategies

Stamford, CT – With a goal of connecting more people to a natural refuge in the heart of downtown Stamford, Mill River Park Collaborative has retained Dot Think Design to complete a marketing audit and provide high-impact strategic support.

Mill River Park Collaborative (MRPC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works hand-in-hand with the public and the City of Stamford to bring about the long-cherished community vision of a central park in the heart of downtown. Its mission is made possible through members and donors, who fund most of the park’s annual budget and infrastructure.

As a vibrant, evolving community space, Mill River Park preserves 12 acres of greenway around Mill River, with more expansion to come. Park amenities include a playground, slated to be rebuilt with a splash pad in 2018; the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center, now under construction; and the David & Marian Nissen Carousel, available for rentals and birthday parties. MRPC also partners with local schools to provide first-class education on nature and environmental stewardship, with the Whittingham Discovery Center slated to open soon for education and interactive exhibits.

Sharing a Story, Inspiring Action.

Similar to the cherry blossom festival celebrated each spring in Mill River Park, bright online developments are set to emerge from this partnership. After completing a brand and marketing audit, Dot Think will collaborate with MRPC to forge a fresh path in content marketing, email marketing, and social media strategy.

Dot Think’s mission is to help nonprofits engage and convert potential donors through a holistic process of discovery, design, compelling storytelling and seamless integration of technology.

“At Dot Think, we believe passionately in the power of people coming together to do good. Nonprofits are the heart of our communities – and we want to use our experience to help your organization make an impact. Whatever your needs, we can be there for you – with the best tools, data to match your goals and access to industry gurus. Give me a call, and let’s talk about ways we can collaborate to magnify your reach and impact through thoughtful, authentic messaging.”

Corti Cooper
Principal & Creative Director, Dot Think Design

From the restoration of Mill River to bring back native flora and fauna to the ongoing creation of places to gather, play and learn, the park’s evolution is extending to the online landscape – and we at Dot Think are honored to support them.

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Dot Think Design is a woman-owned & operated agency based in Fairfield County, CT that serves nonprofit and for-profit organizations across the US with branding and marketing strategy, print and web design, social media and email campaigns, technology solutions and development.

LEARN MORE ABOUT US

Mastering the brand challenge – authenticity & heart {Heineken Ad}

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Is there more that unites than divides us?

Participant A: “I would describe myself as a feminist, 100%.”
Participant B: “Feminism today is man hating.”

In keeping up with our daily dose of media, it can feel like our differences are so great and so hopeless to bridge that perhaps we just let this bridge burn (in a brilliant, brilliant inferno).

But a new Heineken ad is taking a stand – and we’re watching. More akin to performance art than advertising, the new campaign Worlds Apart: An Experiment addresses the ways in which we relate to each other amidst our lively political climate.

Two strangers (with VERY different views) are led into a room where they work together to build an IKEA-esque bar. It’s followed by a Q&A where they ask each other a series of meaningful questions, such as “Describe what it is like to be you in 5 adjectives.”

A moment of tension follows when the participants watch a prerecorded video of their political opinions. “I don’t believe that climate change exists” discovers he has just built – well, not a bridge, but a bar – with “We are not taking enough action on climate change.”

Then, the participants (no longer strangers) are invited to either stay and drink a beer together…or leave. And, spoiler alert, THEY ALL DRINK BEER!

The #OpenYourWorld campaign seeks to demonstrate that we are more than this polarization. That there is more that unites us than divides us. And that sometimes, all we need to find common ground is a willingness to talk about it over a beer.

Watch the full video here:

 

Authentic brand messaging – the key to connect

Heineken has successfully pulled off a brilliant example of capturing the human spirit while selling a product. Campaigns that capture the heartbreak and joy of the daily human experience can be tricky, as proven by the poorly executed, tone deaf ad Pepsi recently unveiled. Pepsi seized the moment, but failed to recognize the true spirit of the resistance movement. The result was an ad that co-opted and minimized the passion and pain of protesters, drawing all the wrong kind of attention.

For brands, the key to campaigns that speak to the essence of the human experience is authenticity. Do you truly understand how your customers’ lives are made more joyful, meaningful and connected through your products or mission? When you connect with these emotions, the rewards can be great. We encourage all our clients to seek the authentic voice of your brand, and to speak to the heart and soul of the people you are trying to reach.

When we love the challenge and embrace the uncomfortable, it becomes a way of life. We are all likely to face opposition for causes we care about deeply, and it’s never easy. But behind every opinion there is a person…with a face, a name, a family, loves, fears, a history… all of these complexly and beautifully intertwined. When we open our world, we have everything to gain.

Thanks for reminding us, Heineken! We’ll drink to that.

8 tips for promoting your business on social media

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It’s 2017 and social media continues to be all of the things. On one hand, it’s noisy and distracting. Our Facebook feeds present a never-ending stream of puppy videos and political scandal…and what superhuman can navigate this emotional hurricane without distraction? However, we keep coming back for more because there’s no denying it; social media is shaping the the way we consume news and current events. It offers us a platform to connect, organize, discuss, debate, celebrate and share.

Love it and hate it, social media is here to stay and we’ve discovered some smart ways to utilize this powerful tool for your business. Here’s our top eight.

# 1 Release your inhibitions…just try it!

promoting your business on social media

If you’re feeling a little awkward taking your message to the masses, don’t worry! This is a normal. What we call social media shyness is super common and easy to overcome. Learn by doing. Get your feet wet. Publish that first post and see what happens. We’re cheering for you!

#2 Use professional photos

promoting your business on social media

While building your social media presence, hire a professional photographer to take your headshot and images of your business. Everything you put into the digital landscape reflects back to you…so represent your high quality brand with high resolutions.

#3 Make a plan

promoting your business on social media

Start with posting once a week, and work your way up. As with anything else, consistency is key in social media marketing. Demonstrating an investment of time and passion to post regular high-quality content will establish your brand as a trusted source. Prefer to sit down once and schedule several weeks of posts in advance? Hootsuite is the most widely used platform for managing social media.

#4 Include your friends

promoting your business on social media

Invite your friends to like your business page. They probably will! Friends support us in our pursuits, and often have similar interests. Taking into consideration the six degrees of separation, friends of friends of friends will soon be liking and sharing your content.

#5 Fill out all the information

promoting your business on social media

Remember the “what, who, where, when, why” of every post. Sometimes it helps to take an idea to paper, and sketch out a few different versions. The challenge comes in making each post informative, but also bite-sized enough to get people interested and engaged. This takes practice…but we know you can do it!

#6 Show your community some love

promoting your business on social media

Our favorite thing about social media is the opportunity to bring together our local network around common causes and events. Tag your business partners, employees and clients so they will share too. Then watch as your community expands.

#7 Work with the algorithm

promoting your business on social media

Keep in mind that every audience is different. In fact, every DAY is different. An intricate Facebook algorithm decides which posts get shown to each user in their News Feed. Connect with like-minded people by staying authentic. Tweak your content with your audience in mind – but don’t forget what you’re trying to say.

#8 $ makes the world go round

promoting your business on social media

As mentioned earlier, it’s easy for a message to get lost in the noise. With paid advertising, your content will reach those more likely to consider it relevant and interesting. Whether you’re looking to increase page likes, post engagement, or website clicks, start with a small investment and see what happens.

One last thought

promoting your business on social media

Remember, all great things take patience – and this includes your successful social media network. Stay creative, stay consistent, try new things, fail big, fail bigger, keep going and soon your message will shine amongst the sea of social content.

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Dot Think Design is a woman-owned & operated agency based in Fairfield County, CT that serves nonprofit and for-profit organizations across the US with branding and marketing strategy, print and web design, social media and email campaigns, technology solutions and development.

LEARN MORE ABOUT US